as in maverick
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs
notorious as an iconoclast, that music critic isn't afraid to go after sacred cows
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Recent Examples of iconoclast
Her immersion into cross-cultural divinity takes root on LUX in vanguard beats, searching timbres, and a colossal, sometimes operatic voice, attuned to pop iconoclasts like Bjork (featured on LUX) and Kate Bush.
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Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
But Richmond’s solo work reflects his pop-rock sensibility too, and his humor and storyteller’s delivery are reminiscent of the late country-folk iconoclast Todd Snider’s.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
Over the years, some have considered Kilmer an iconoclast and a somewhat difficult actor at times, but in 2021, his daughter Mercedes told PEOPLE that perception wasn't completely right.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
The portrait that emerges from Kroll’s reporting is that of a man who is equal parts government technocrat, political operator and zealous iconoclast.
—Lisa Riordan Seville, ProPublica, 17 Oct. 2025
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for iconoclast
maverick
Noun
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Then there was his creation of the ad hoc Department of Government Efficiency that fell under the leadership of maverick entrepreneur Elon Musk.—
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Trump hadn’t hired a kooky, maverick academic who happened to agree with him on tariffs, as has often been suggested.—
Cite this Entry
“Iconoclast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/iconoclast. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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